Street-sweeper



T. McDOUGALL ANDJ. F. SMEDLEY.

STREET SWEEPER.

RENEWED JAN. 3. 1921 APPLICATION FILED MAYZLIQH.

Patented Feb. 22 i192 T. M'cDOUGALL AND J. F. SMEDLEY. STREET SWEEFER. -APPLICATION FILED MAYZI. I917- RENEWED JAN- 3.1921- 1,369,118, I Pm; P01022192}.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- T. McDOUGALL AND]. F. SMEDLEY.

STREET SWEEPER. APPLICATION FILED MAYZI I917. RENEWED JAN. 3. I921.

Patented Feb. 22, 192 16 5 SHEETSSHEET T. McDOUGALL AND J. F. SMEDLEY.

STREET SWEEFER,

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21. 1917- RENEWED JAN. 3.1921.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

5 SHEETS SHEET 5- UNITED STATES PAIENT OFFICE.

TAYLOR MODOUGALL, or PASADENA, AND JESSE FRANK smEDLnY. or LOS enemas,

CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS '10 MOTORCYCLE SWEEPER COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 21, 1917, Serial No. 169,848. Renewed January 3, 1921. Serial No. 434,788.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, TAYLOR MCDOUGALL and Jnssn FRANK SMEDLEY, both citizens of the United States, residing at Pasadena and Los Angeles, respectively, in the county of Los Angeles and- State of California; have invented a new and useful Street-Sweeper, of which, the following is a specification.

The majority of motor vehicle street sweepers when constructed so as to sweep a relatively great area are extremely costly,

and in most instances are of a complicated and awkward construction. The pr ncipal objections .to these machines are that they slow in operation and are too costly, large,

Furtherdiflicult to manage in city streets.

' more, these sweepers have not proved to sweep thoroughly, and raise dust in some instances. It is the primary object of this invention to remove all of the foregoing ob-.

jections to motor vehicle street sweepers by providing astreet sweeping machine which is'simple, in construction, inexpensive in pro-' duotion and operation, extremely simple in operation, capable of being propelled at a fair rate of speed during the sweeping action, and which does not raise dust.

An object of this invention 1s to provide in a street sweeper a simple, effective and inexpensive means for removing all rubbish and dust swept up by a rotary street sweeping brush and causing it to bestoredin such manner that little or no dust is raised or scattered during, this operation.

A further object is to provide a brush and a suction member for removing the rubbish and dust swept up thereby which are so related to one another and to the'vehic'le upon which they are mounted that they may be easily moved into and out of sweeping position and are permitted to give in case an obstruction is encountered thereby.

An additional object is to provide for the storing of rubbish and dust without scattering the dust and so that rubbish is stored in a sanitary, clean and desirable manner.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: i

Figure 1 is a slde elevation of the sweeper showing it broken away in part.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the brush and other cooperating parts of the sweeping mechanism mounted on a vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the sweeper. Fig. 4 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view with parts broken away to illustrate the exhaust fan and mechanism located beneath the dust collecting means in top plan.

Fig. 5 is an'enlarged fragmentary secrator.

Referring to the drawings, l designates a motor vehicle which in this instance is aftruck of standard construction, consistmg ofa rectangular frame or chassis 2,

- front and rear axles 3 and 4, wheels 5 and 6, on the respective axles, steering mechan1sm 7 motor 8- and other parts which need not be described.

A rotary, preferably cylindrical, street I sweeping brush 9 is supported from the frame 2 rearwardly ofthe wheels 6 by a brush supporting frame 10. The. frame 10 comprises ahorizontal shaft 11 rotatably journaled in bearings 12 depending from the frame 2. Mounted for swinging movement upon the bearings 12 are downwardly extending arms 13 which are extensible and formed in two sections 14 and 15 The sections 14 and 15 overlie one-anotherand are provided with registering slots 16 and 17 which receive bolts 18 having nuts--19 thereon. Byv tightening the nuts 19 thesections 14 and 15 maybe held in the desired relation. These arms may. be taken up or let out dependent upon the degreeof con: tact of the brush with the pavement desired. The brush 9 comprises a core 20. having a series of bristles 21 projecting from the periphery thereof. These bristles are arranged in a spiral formation and upon rotation of the brush direct the rubbish swept up thereby from the right-hand end toward the left-hand end of the brush. Extendlng from the ends of the core 20 are trunnions 22 which are journaled in bearings 23 at the lower ends of the arms 13. The trunnions extend through the arms 13 and outwardly therefrom. A sprocket 2&1 is secured by suitable means 25 to each of the trunnions 22 and chains 26 are mounted upon the sprockets 24 and upon sprockets 27 which are fixed to the outer ends of the shaft 11.

Suitably mountedupon the frame 2 is a motor 28 or other source of power having a drive shaft 29 which carries a sprocket 30. A chain 31 is mounted upon the sprocket and upon a sprocket 32, the latter being fixed to a shaft 33 journaled in a bearing 34 of the frame 2 rearwardly of the motor 28.

Another sprocket 35 is journaled upon the shaft 33-and supports a chain 36 which is mounted upon a sprocket 37 fixed to the shaft 11. Through the foregoing chain or drive mechanism the brush 9 is operated. Suitable means, not shown may be provided to control the operation of the motor 28.

A semicylindrical' dust hood 38 is fixed to the bearings 23 and covers the brush 9 to prevent dust or rubbish from being thrown upwardly or scattered during the operation of the brush.

There is provided a means to raise or lower the'brush which comprises an operating lever 39 pivoted at 40 upon a bracket 41 secured to the frame 2. The lever carries a locking mechanism 42 which coiiperates with a notched quadrant 43 and upon its lower end is pivoted as at 4:4 to one end of a rod 45 which 'extendsrearwardly to and is pivotally connected with a rocker arm 46,

as at 47. The arm 46'is pivoted as at 48 to the frame '2 and at its upper end is pivoted at 49 to one end ofa rod 50 which extends downwardly and rearwardly and is pivotally connected at 51 with an arm 52. Pivoted to an arm 53 connected with one of the arms' 13 is an arm 54 having pivotal connection 55 with the frame 2 at its upper end and apivotal connection 56 with the arm 52 so that when the rod 50 is pulled forwardly, the arm 52 will lift the arm 54 upwardly ingly lifted into out-of-the-way position.

' ook members 57 "are secured to the frame 2 and are adapted to engage with the bear I ings 23 to hold the brush in up position; I

There is provided a suction means for'collecting rubbish and dust swept up by the brush and depositingit into a receptacle which will be later more fully described. This means comprises a hollow suction member 58 which is supported'in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined position in 'front of the brush 9 and has downwardly con- V 10. It will thus be and the brush will be corres'pondvergent walls 59 which provide a relatively narrow intake opening 60 at the lower end of the member 58. The member 58 is approximately equal in width to the length of the brush and its open lower end 60 is located in close proximity to and above the lower side of the brush. Mounted upon the member 58 on opposite sides of its lower end are angle bars 61 and 62, and secured to the angle bar 61 is a deflector plate 63 which extends toward the brushin an approximately horizontal plane and has its upper edge slightly spaced from the bristles of the brush. This plate extends for approximately the entire length-of the brush and serves to prevent rubbish from being thrown upwardly, An extension plate 64 is forwardly slidably adjustably mounted by suitable means 65 upon the plate 63 and may be extended when the brush becomes worn so that-it will prevent rubbish from being thrown upwardly between the baflle plate distance equal to approximately the entire length of the brush. At its ends the plate 67 has pivotal connections 68 with links 69 which have pin and slot connection 70 with the arms 13 of the brush supporting frame seen that when the frame 10 and brush are lifted up, the links 69 will lift the plate 67 upwardly and the opening 60 will be restricted causing any rubbish upon the pavement adjacent to the suction member or upon the plate 67 to be readily sucked into the member 58. This prevents the leaving of a pile or rift of rubbish at the point where the brush ceases operation. If the frame 10 and brush are lifteda greater distance than sufiicient to close the plates 67 the links 69 will then operate to "raise the entire suction member 58. This provides for raising the suction member temporarily to avoid contact with an obstacle during the street sweeping operation or to raise the suction member into an outof-the-way position while traveling to and from the street to be swept.

ere is provided a supportingmeans for the suction member 58 which comprises an angle bar 71 extending along and engaging the under side of the member 58 at a point approximately centrally of its upper and lower ends. This bar 71 is supported by angular hangers 72 which are secured to the frame 2 of the motor vehicle. When the member 58 is in down position it rests upon and is supported by the bar 71.

.At its upper end the member 58'is cened with a cylindrical outletgnipy I upon a suitable suppprtinflg structure 78 e ex fixedto the frame 2. h ible coupling 7 4 permits the upward and downward movement of the. member- 58 in correspondence.

with the movement-of the-brush'9.

The motor shaft 29. carries a-sprocket 82 upon which is mounted" a chain 83 for. driv-' ing the exhaust fan 77. "The shaft 84 of the ex aust fan carries :a sprocket 85 around which the chain 83 is rove. Mounted upon the shaft 84 is a s rocket 86 upon which is mounted a chain 8 This chain 87 extends downwardly and around a sprocket 88 which is journaled upon the frame 2 upon a-shaft 89. A crank90 is fixed to the shaft 89 and provides a means for cranking or starting the motor 28. v The startin motion being transmitted from the sproc et 88 through the chain 87, sprocket 86, shaft 8 1, sprocket 85, chain82 to motor shaft 29. 4

A preferably rectangularhousing 91 is mounted upon the frame 20f the vehicle and incases the exhaust fan 77, pipe 7 5-and cooperating mechanism which extends above the frame 2. This housing 91 has its forward end closed by a wall 92 towhich are joined side walls 93.'- The rear 'end of the housing 91 is open on the lower side and a door 94 which is hinged as at 95 to the outer end wall 96 of the housing closes the open lower sideof said outer end and is held i1; closed position by latch mechanism 96 0 an is divlded interiorly by a partition wall 97 which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the upper front end of the housing to the lower rear end thereof above. the exhaust fan 77 and cooperating, mechanism. 7 The lower end of the partition wall 97 terminates at a point adjacent to the lower edge of the door 94 and this wall provides a rubbish and dust chamber inthe upper part of the housing. A blower or exhaust pipe 98 extends upwardly from the exhaust fan 77 throughthe wall 97 and upper wall 99 of the housing above said upper wall, and at its upper end is connected yan elbow 100 with a cyclone intake 101- extending laterally from one side of a dust cyclone member 102. This member 102' comprises a cylindri cal body portion 103 which at-its lower side communicates with a frusto-c'onical discharge member 104:. The frusto-conical mem er 104 is carried by the upper wall 99 of the housing and hasits discharge opening 105 located directly above the wall 97. The body portion 103 of the cycloneis formed with a central cylindrical outlet spout 106,

' 107 is vsecuredto the. outer side ofthe memthe lower .end thereof so as to direct heavy particleS-ofyrubbish blown into thejcyclone'awayfrom the lower end of-the member 106 towardthe outer downwardlyconverging walls 104 the heavy particles 'ofrubbishwill readily discharge from the opening 105 onto the wal capement ofan appreciable amount of. rubdust from the cyclone, there is prochamber therein.

capement of dust. i v

There is provided a sprinkling means to suitable character. The housing 91 the upper end ofwhich communicates with h r as the-lower end cdm-' v the atmosphere, municates with theupper-end'of the frustoconical member-104. A downwardly and outwardly inclinedfl annular .bafiie member her 106 adj went to 97 To preventlback pressure with the 'es' bish or vided a bafiie plate108 which is located 1nspaced relation to the lower end of the member 106 at a point directly .over' the opening .85 cured to the lower end of the member .106 V 105 of the member 10 1. Hangers 109 sesupport the plate 108 inhorizontal osition and in spaced relation to the mem er 1045. There is provided an auxiliary air outlet 110 in the upper wall 99 of the housingand This'open'rng 110 has an upwardly extended-nipple 111 communicate ing therewith, the top of which is covered with suitable screen 112 to prevent the es-' prevent the flying of dust from the discharge of the cyclone and thismeans comprises a; i 100 sprinkler-nozzle 113 located w-ithin the dis.-. charge or outlet of thecy'c'lone. The nozzle 3 113 is secured upon the lower end of a pipe] 114 which is connected with a horizontal-'1 pipe115 extending across the top of the cy- 1 J05 a water supply tank- 117 mounted upon the clone to a pipe 116 which is connected with upper wall 99 of the housing. An air pump 118 is provided for creating a pressure in'the tank 117 so that a spray will be forced through the nozzle 1'13. Thetank 117 is provided -with a suitable filling opening 119 closed by a cap 120. A gage 121 1s mount-ed upon the-tank indicating the air pressure therein'and' the spray may be-controlled by a valve 122 connected with the tank 117. v

To sweep, the brushis lowered. into the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings by releasing the lever-.39 and pushing it forwardly. When the brush is lowered or prior/to the lowering of the'brush, the rho-[1'20 tor28 is; started by means of the crank 90,

ear 88, chain 87 sprocket 86, chain 83, to

D motor bish forwardly and upwardly into the open 130 4. hereby -90 I communicating withthejfdust and rubbish shaft 29 and power is transmitted from the engine 28 through shaft 29, chain shaft 33, sprocket 34:, 125 37, shaft 11, sprocket 27,

end 60 of the suction member 58, said suetion member being lowered into position when the brush and brush frame are low-' ered. Since the .plate 63 and extension 67 prevents rubbish and dust from being thrown forwardly under the open end 60 of the member 58 and serves to direct rubbish and dust upwardly into the suction member. The links 69 which connect the plate 67 with thebrush frame 10, in havmg pin and slot connections with said brush frame allow for a yielding movement of the suction member in case an obstruction is encountered and thereby prevent 1njury to the suction member. The exhaust fan 77 is operated from the motor shaft 29 by the chain 83 mounted. .upon the sprocket 85 of the fan shaft 84 and :the suction produced by the fan causes all of I the .rubbish and dust thrown into and ad- 76, from thence the rubbishand dust .are'

conical lower portion 1010f the cyclone jacent the lower open end of the member 58 to be drawn upwardly through said member 58, pipe 75 into the fan chamber blown through the *exhaust pipe 98 into the cyclone 102. The rubbish and dust wh ch is blown into the cyclone 102 from one side thereof is caused to swirl .or rotate rapidly within the body portion 103- of the cyclone and the heavier particles of rubbish will drop downwardly upon the frustoand discharge through the opening 105 onto the partition'wall 97 which forms a; rubbish anddust receptacle within the upper portion of the housing. 91. The cylindrical discharge member 106 located with--- in the body portion 103 has its intake end at the lower side of the body portion .103

and the baflie member 107 in being inclined;

downwardly and outwardly toward the outer walls of the body portion 103 prevents rubbish and dust .from being 'conducted too near the lower or intake end of said member 106 and directssaid rubbish and dust away from said lower open end so that it will fall into the member-104 .and discharge through the opening 105 thereof. The air blown into the cyclone will dis:

charge through the member 106 and b means of the sprinkling arrangement whic includes the nozzle 113 located centrally within the member 106 water isintroduced into the cyclone and prevents dust from" j being blown out through the member 106 I with the .escapingair. The tank 117 contains water under air pressure, the 'air be-' ing forced-into the tank by means of the .39 and .into the cyclone. opened to removev the rubbish contained brush rotates so as to throw. the rubbish and dust in the direction of the movement of the vehicle into the suction member which is located in front of the brush and owing to this. arrangement which is one of the most essential features of the invention,

the vehicle ma be propelled rapidly and a thorough an reliable sweeping or. street cleaning action provided for without the scattering of dust; By grasping the lever pulling it rearwardly, an upward pull is communicated to the rod 49, rocker arm 46, 'rod 50,-link 52 and nected with the brush hood 38. When the brush is lifted upwardly the links 81 con- 'nected with the plate 67 lift the suction member 50 upwardly also and in lifting it move the plate 67 so astofrestrict the opening 60 in the lower end of the member 58. When this is done the suction at the lower end of the member 58 is increased causing all particles of the dust and rubbish adjacent to said lower 'end 'or which may be lodged in the suction member to be readily sucked into the member and discharged {The door 94 may be within the upper "o -tion of the housing 91;

It will be noted ithat-the suction member 58 and brush are supported by such construction and innsuch manner that should an obstruction be encountered thereby. no damage will be done owing to the fact that both a the 'member 58 and brush are permitted tojswing orgive upwardly; The brush 9- is of a spiral form, as. previously described, the bristlesbeing so arranged as to work the rubbish from the right toward the left. side of the brush. This is desirable, as.in sweeping a'street the machine is driven along. the right-hand side thereof and since' the streets are usually inclined downwardly on the sides thereof the right side of the brush islowermost and in work.-

arm 54 con-.

ing the rubbish toward the left side there- -of provides for a. thorough, expeditious and efiectlve sweepmg action.

modern 'vehicle, preferably atruck, without requiring j anymaterial change in the construction of the truck-and so as to prov 6 guickly, inexpensively of be' say twe ve miles an hour, and ofsweeping a wide expanse of a street thoroughly,

'ust to be scattered.

Weclaim: a 1 In a street sweeper, a frame, a brush supported by the frame,-a suction. member 10 to the brush, means to create a suct onin the suction member, means to raise and lower 'the bru'sh, and means to gradually re-' strict and widen the openingin the lower raised and lowered respectively. 2. In a, street sweeper, a brush supporting means movable up and down, a brush carried by said means, means to rotate the brush, asuction member having opening located adjacent to the brush to receive rubbish swept up thereby, means to create a suction n' said suction member,

means to raise and lower the brush, and means to 'adually restrict the intake coincident with the raising of the brush.

3. In a street sweeper, a frame, a sweepin brush, a suction member having an inta e opening located adjacent to the brush, means to create a suction in the suction I member, means to restrict the intake opening in the suction member, means to raise and lower the brush, and means connecting the means to restrict the intake opening to the nieans for raising and lowering the brush ,and adapted to restrict and open the intake opening as the brush is raised and lowered respectively and to raise the suction member by a further raising of the brush after theintake opening has been closed.

4., In a street sweeper, a brush supportin means movable up and down, a rotary brus carried by said means, means to rotate the brush, a suction member having an intake opening located adjacent to the brush, means to create a suction in said member, a plate movable toward and away from said intake opening, means to raise and lower the brush and link members connecting the said plate with thesaid brush raising means.

' 5. In a street sweeper, a brush supporting means, a brush carried by said means, means to rotate the brush, a suction member having an intake opening located adjacent to the brush to receive rubbish .swept up thereby, means to create a' suction insaid member, a plate hinged to said suction member along one edge of-said intake opening and movable toward and away from theother edge of said opening, means to raise and lower the brush and means connecting the plate tothe brush supporting means.

' 6. In a street sweeper, a brush supporting means, a brush carried by said means, means '1,ace,11s

operated at. a fair rate ofspeed,

and. without causmg' having its lower open end "located adjacent end of the" suction member as the brush is an intake .by further raising the member to receive rubbish swept up brush, having an intakeopening located ada plate carried by the to rotate the brush, a suction member havmg an intake openin located adjacent to the brush to receive ru by, means to create-a suction in said ber, a plate hinged'to said suction member along one edge of said' intake opening and movable toward and awayv from' the other edge of said opening, and means to' raise and lower the brush operating to move the plate toward the opening whe is raiseda'nd away. from the opening when the brush is lowered, including links pivoted to the plate and brush supporting means.

7 In a street sweeper, means, a brush, means to rotate the brush, a suction member having an intake opening, means to create 'a suction in said member,

means to restrict theintake opening, means" a the brush supporting to raise and lower means, and meansto raise the suction member after the intake opening has been closed means. 7 I

8. In a street sweeper, a-brush supporting means, a brush carried by said means, means to rotate the brush, a suction member having an intake opening located near said brush, means to create a suction in said member, means between and brush to prevent rubbish, from being thrown upwardly above the intake opening,

, and means to restrict the intake opening to increasethe suction force at said opening.

9. Ina street sweeper, a brush supporting means, a brush carried by said means, means to rotate the brush, a suction member having an intake opening located near said brush, means to create a suction in said member, means between and brush to prevent rubbish from being thrown upwardly above the intake 'opening', said intake opening being located in front of the brush, means brushsupporting means, and means to restrict the intake opening to increase the suction force at the opening.

the brusha. brush supporting the intake opening bish swept up there- 7 membrush supporting the intake opening to raise and lower the 10. A street sweeper comprising a brush frame, a brush carried by the to rotate supporting frame, means by the jacent to the brush, suctioh member and extending from the upper edge of the opening toward the brush in approximate contact with the brush, and an extension the first plate.

the brush, a suction plate adjustably mounted. on.

11. A street'sweeper comprising a brush v supporting frame, a brush carried by the frame, means to rotate the brush, a suction member to receive rubbish swept up by the brush, having an intake opening 13081117 to the brush, a plate'carried by the suction member and extending from the up- T per edge .of the opening toward thebrush located ad in approximate contact with the brush, an

extension plate adjustably mounted on the first plate, a plate hinged to the suction brush and supporting arms, a suction pipe on the vehicle frame, means to create a suction in said pipe, a suction member, a flexible coupling member secured to the pipe and suction member, said suction member having an intake opening located in front of and near the brush to receive rubbish swept the brush, a plate hinged to said suction member along the lower side of the intake opening and normally extending downwardly therefrom, and a connection between the plate and brush supporting arms, said intake opening extending for the length of the brush. I

13. In a street sweeper,'a vehicle frame, brush supporting arms pivoted to the frame, a brush carried by the arms, means to rotate the brush, means to raise and lower the brush and supporting arms, a suction pipe on the vehicle frame, means to create a suction in said pipe, a suction member, a flexible coupling member secured to the pipe and suction member, said suction member having an intake opening located in front of and near the brush to receive rubbish swept up by the brush, a plate hinged to said suction member along the lower side of the intake opening and normally extending downwardly therefrom, a connection between the plate and brush supporting arms,- said intake opening extending for the length of the brush, and a plate secured to the suction member along the upper edge of the intake opening and extending in close relation to the brush.

14. In a street sweeper, a vehicle frame, a brush, a brush supporting means pivoted to the frame and-adapted to allow the brush to rest on a street surface, a suction; member having an intake opening adjacent tothe brush, means to create a suction in the suction member, means to restrict the intake opening of the suction member, and means connecting the last named means with the brush supporting means and adapted to restrict and widen the intake opening as the brush moves up and down respectively along the street surface.

15. In a street sweeper, a vehicle frame, a brush, a brush supporting means pivoted to the frame and adapted to allow the brush to rest on a street surface, a suction member having an intake opening adjacent to the brush, means to create a suction in the suction member, means to restrict the intake opening of the suction raise and lower the brush by swlnging the brush supporting means on its pivot; and a link member connecting the means to restrict the intake openmg of the suctionmember to the brush supporting means and adapted to restrict and widen the intake opening and to raise and lower the suction member as the brush is raised and lowered member, means to respectively, either by the means to raise and lower the brush or by the brush moving up and down along the street surface.

In testimonywhereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Los An eles, California, this 17th'da of A ril, 191$.

T YLO MoDOUGALL. JESSE FRANK SMEDLEY'.

In presence of- CHAS. J. CHE'EVER, L. BELLE WEAVER. 

